C&K

Overview

C&K is a Japanese male vocal duo signed to Ens Entertainment. The members are CLIEVY, known for his super high-tone voice, and KEEN, known for his silky voice. They have established a style they call "JAM," blending black music such as disco, funk, soul and reggae with folk and 1980s kayokyoku through their own sensibilities, and they describe themselves as "genre busters" who tear down the barriers between genres and cultures.

Members

• CLIEVY (born August 31, 1984): from Oyama, Tochigi. Graduated from Bunkyo University.
• KEEN (born September 6, 1982): from Kanoya, Kagoshima.

Career

The two met at Bunkyo University, where KEEN approached CLIEVY, and formed the duo as students, performing around Shonan and Yokohama.

Indie days to major debut (2008-2011)

• In February 2008 they joined Kyushu Otoko's single "1/6000000000 feat.C&K," which reached No. 12 on the Oricon singles chart. Their debut mini-album "CK island" followed in June.
• In February 2009 they released the mini-album "CKTV"; its track "Zoku -> 60 oku bun no 1" ranked No. 1 on the iTunes reggae chart. Their first one-man show at Daikanyama UNIT in March sold out the same day.
• In February 2010 they released the mini-album "CK STYLE" and launched their first nationwide tour. They made their major debut on Universal Music with "Tsuyuake Sengen" on August 4.
• In September 2011 they released their first full album, "CK A-YANKA!!!"

Breakthrough and large-scale shows (2012-2018)

• In January 2013 they released the ballad collection "Ai Ai no Uta," and after being featured by Rocket News, YouTube views surged and the song reached No. 5 on the iTunes Store overall chart. The 3rd album "CK JUNGLE!!!" followed in February.
• In 2014 they drew 10,000 fans at Marine Messe Fukuoka.
• In 2015 they released the 4th album "CK MUSIC" and held one-man concerts at Ryogoku Kokugikan in November.
• In 2016 they released their first best-of, "CK IT'S A JAM BEST HIT UTA," and drew about 15,000 to an outdoor show at Uminonakamichi Seaside Park.
• In 2017 they released the single "Y" (No. 8 weekly on Oricon) and the 5th album "55," with outdoor shows in Oyama and Kanoya.
• In 2018 the single "Drama" became their first TV drama theme. In November they held a 10th anniversary concert at Yokohama Arena.

2019-2021

• The 6th album "TEN" was released in March 2019, reaching No. 5 weekly on Oricon.
• In 2020 "Asa to Hikari" became their first film theme song, and in June they held a drive-in live.
• In 2021 they released "Ano Hi no Sweet Melody," "KARADANONAKADAKARADA" and "Uta wo Utao," followed by the 7th album "CK TOKEN" in December.

2022 onward

• In 2022 they released "I.M.A" and toured nationwide; the 8th album "CK OILY" came in November along with their second Yokohama Arena show.
• In 2023 they released "Aoaoao" and in December the 9th album "CK PEAS."
• In 2024 "Heartbeat" was chosen as the theme of NHK's late-night drama "VR Ojisan no Hatsukoi." They also performed the Dragon Ball DAIMA opening theme "Jaka Jaan" (Jaka Jaan feat. C&K), with the full-length version released in February 2025. "Soushi Souai" followed in November 2025.

Musical style

C&K is defined by its "JAM" style, crossing black music, folk and 1980s pop songs. The contrast between a high-tone voice and a silky voice is their hallmark, and CLIEVY has also written lyrics and music for other artists.